Eberon's Sword

by Rick Brown

  Walking back to Lee’s bed, I sat on the side, picking his hand back up from the side of the bed and holding it. It was so warm now. I remembered back to the day he was stabbed. It was as cold as ice then. When I wasn’t worried about Lee, I wondered about the events of that day. How a god communicated with me, trying to save Lee’s life.

  I also wondered how time had stopped. Did everyone else slow down or did I speed up? Maybe when Lee wakes up, he can explain it to me. I didn’t even know which god it was, Alynon or Ayisha.

  So lost in thought, I almost missed the twitching of his finger. I sat quietly, waiting to see if I felt it again. After a few moments, Yes! His finger moved. Then I realized, I had picked his hand up from the side of the bed. The same hand I had picked up before. Lee had moved his hand on his own, I was sure of it.

  “Lee, can you hear me?” I asked. Again, I felt his hand twitch.

  “Lee?” I reached up and brushed the hair from his face. “Can you say something?”

  There was no sound, but his mouth opened slightly.

  “Lee!” I squealed in excitement. “You’re waking up! I knew you would!”

  I ran to the door, yelling down the stairs, “Someone, get the doctor!”

  I quickly ran back to Lee’s side, taking his hand. In the distance could hear the sound of boots running up the stairs. A moment later Barad burst through the door. “Bri left to find Doctor Yorlin. What happened?” He asked as he approached Lee, looking over my shoulder.

  “His hand moved!” I replied excitedly.

  Barad leaned forward, “Can I hold it?”

  Begrudgingly, I release his hand so Barad could take it. “Lee?” He asked. “Can you squeeze my hand?”

  Barad waited a moment. “Lee? Can you hear me?” Again, Barad was quiet for a moment. Then, he nodded, a big smile breaking across his face.

  “That’s my boy!” he cheered. “Not even being stabbed in the chest can stop you.”

  A moment later, Father Yagen entered the room. “Did I hear yelling?” He asked as he approached us.

  “It’s Lee, Father. He’s moving and reacting to us!” I answered, feeling real hope for the first time since Lee was injured.

  The Priest looked to Barad for confirmation, who nodded in agreement, still with the big smile on his face.

  Father Yagen walked to the side of the bed, kneeling in prayer. Just as I had seen him do every day since Lee was stabbed.

  Barad realized he was still holding Lee's hand. With an embarrassed grin, he set his hand down and stepped back so I could grip it once more.

  I sat there and held his hand, feeling the occasional twitch, until finally, Brianna entered with the doctor.

  “Everyone out!” Doctor Yorlin ordered. “Abi, you can stay.”

  I could hear Barad excitedly telling Brianna about Lee as they left out the door.

  "So, what happened?" The doctor asked as she started examining Lee. I explained to her how his arm had moved and that he responded to our voices.

  She checked his eyes then, taking a needle, poked his hand. It jumped in reaction to the prick. “Amazing,” she said with a smile. “I had given up any hope he would recover, but you’re right. This is all different. When I checked him earlier, I saw no reaction to these tests.”

  I wiped away a tear, “So, do you think it was Alynon’s Tear?”

  She smiled. “Alynon’s Tear and you. I’ve seen wives less dedicated to their husbands care.”

  I turned to look at Lee so I could hide my blush. “Is there anything we need to do?”

  She sighed, "No. As far as his body is concerned, he is in perfect shape. It looks like he could hop up now and take on another troll. We just needed to wait for his mind to decide to wake up, and it looks like he may finally be doing that."

  I got up and hugged her. "Thank you, doctor. I know I've been a pest."

  “Abi, you’re my friend. You were never a pest, at least not much of one,” she said with a laugh. “Get some rest tonight. I’ll be back in the morning to check on him.”

  As the doctor left, I went back to the bed, sitting once again by Lee’s side. This time, I reached over Lee, putting my hand on the fist that held Alynon’s Tear. “Thank you for saving him,” I said. I was surprised as there was a quick flash of green light from the gem, as if the stone was acknowledging my gratitude.

  Pulling back, I stared at Lee’s fist, which still firmly gripped Alynon’s Tear. Finally, I gave up trying to understand anything about what happened with Lee’s magic. At least he was finally showing signs of recovery.

  “Good morning,” Lee greeted as I slowly opened my eyes. I had fallen asleep in the chair next to his bed.

  “Lee!” I yelled as I jumped on the bed to hug him.

  Pulling back, I looked in at his face. “How do you feel? Are you ok?” I asked in a flurry.

  Lee laughed. “I’m fine. Of all my sickbeds, I feel best waking up this time. How long was I out?”

  I sat back. “Three weeks. It was serious this time, Lee. The doctor thought you had died.”

  “… Three weeks?” he asked, stunned. “I’ve been asleep for three weeks? I thought it was just hours.”

  “What do you remember?” I asked.

  "I remember the council siding in our favor, but I guess you already know that." I smiled, nodding in response. "After that, just a weird dream. I was floating around in some void. Finally, something drew me out of it. Whatever it was, it reminded me of who I was. It told me I must live. Next thing I knew, I woke to the very pleasant sight of you sleeping by my bed."

  “The doctor believed it was the stone keeping you alive. Maybe that’s what drew you from the void?” I asked as I pointed to his hand.

  Lee raised his hand, looking at Alynon’s Tear. “Well, there you are,” he said to the stone, smiling. “We finally got you.” The stone gave a flash of green light. Lee turned to me, “You saw that too, right?”

  I nodded, "It happened last night too when I thanked it for keeping you alive."

  Lee looked at the stone, “Well, seems there is more to you than just holding my power. I’ll have to spend some time figuring you out.” He then turned to me. “So, what did I use my magic on that drained my energy so badly?”

  “It wasn’t your magic,” I said, shaking my head. “Councilor Belkor attacked you, stabbing you twice in the chest.” Lee looked shocked, lifting his shirt to see his chest. I laughed, “The stone healed you. Your wounds closed as soon as I put Alynon’s Tear in your hand.”

  “This sounds like a long story, let’s go down to breakfast. I’m starving. You can fill me in then,” he said, as he started to slide out of the bed. “Umm... Where are my pants?”

  Chapter 2

  (Lee)

  “Dear Alynon!” Father Pild yelled as he stood from his seat.

  Everyone turned to see me coming down the stairs. “Lee!” Ryan called out as he rushed forward, hugging me. “We thought you were dead!”

  "So, I've been told," I said, hugging him back. "I guess we have some catching up to do."

  “Indeed, we do,” Barad said as he pulled out the chair next to his.

  Taking a seat, I quickly grabbed up some bread and butter from the table. “Well, I’m hungry enough to have been sleeping for three weeks.”

  “Was it sleeping?” Farloc asked. “Doctor Yorlin seemed to think you were somewhere beyond that.”

  I nodded, taking another bite. “Abi and I were talking about that. The answer is, I don’t know. Though, I do believe that it was Alynon’s Tear that brought me back.”

  “Did you interact with the stone?” Father Yagen asked.

  “I believe so. It called me out of some void I was just floating in. I don’t recall much, but I do remember it being difficult to break free. If not for the stone’s persistence, I don’t think I could have done it.”

  “Life with you certainly is interesting,” Father Pild added. “I should start taking notes. This must be written down for posterity.”

>   “Well, I’m just glad you’re ok,” Whilhoit said. “I am here to protect you. I feel like I failed in that.”

  “I’m a little fuzzy about what happened. The last I remember Ryan and I were celebrating our win.”

  “You have Abigail to thank for everything,” Barad started. “We were all just hanging out here when she told me about her intuition. The way she described it, it was just like you used feel.”

  "It was awful," Abigail explained. "I was sleeping when an overwhelming feeling of dread came over me. I met Barad in the hall, and he asked me about it. Thank Ayisha, he recognized it for the gods communicating. Otherwise, I would have just continued to ignore it."

  “So,” Barad went on, “we rushed to the Councilor’s Tower to find everyone running away from it. Inside, we found Ryan holding you, both of you covered in blood. I tried to stop the bleeding as Abi sat down beside me. It seemed a moment later, Abi was now on my other side, pressing Alynon’s Tear into your hand.”

  I looked at Abigail. “I finally understood what the gods were saying. They told me where to find the Tear. At that same time, everyone started to move slowly. I went up the stairs and found Councilor Belkor trying to run off with the Tear. I took it from him and returned back downstairs. As soon as I gave you the stone, everyone started moving as normal.”

  “You took it from Belkor?” I asked.

  Barad laughed. “Yes, by blasting a three-inch hole through his chest.” Barad looked at Abigail. “Sorry Abi, but I was impressed.”

  Abigail shrugged. “He was evil, this time it didn’t bother me.”

  “Abi’s been taking care of you ever since,” Brianna said, giving Abi a suspicious grin that told me there was more to the story. Abi looked down, blushing. “She demanded you be brought back to the tower and has stayed with you night and day.”

  I reached out, taking Abigail’s hand. “Thank you, Abi. It means a lot to me. Also, it was very nice waking up to you,” I said, smiling.

  “Something he’d like to do more often,” Barad joked.

  I reached over and cuffed the back of his head.

  “Ouch! Remind me to be on the opposite side of the table the next time I make fun of you,” Barad groaned as he rubbed the back of his head.

  I shook my head, "Don't worry. I'd find some other way to show my feelings."

  “Oh ho! Look who finally decided to get outta bed,” Orlik called as he came down the stairs. “Good to see ya, Lad.”

  "Good to be seen, Orlik. Are you about ready to go visit your people?" I asked.

  “Ah, about that. I cannot go there. The King exiled me many a year ago,” Orlik explained.

  “Can you at least take us there?” Bri asked. “Then, maybe you can meet us in Spellion.”

  Orlik smiled. “Aye, that may work. To be honest, now that I am back in the action, I did no want to give it up. Besides, I know ya would miss me.”

  “I know I would,” Abi said as she bent over and kissed the dwarf’s cheek.

  “Easy lass, I know I’m irresistible, but the age difference be insurmountable,” he said with a smile.

  “Ah well. I guess all the good ones are unavailable,” she said, winking at me.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Doctor Yorlin greeted as she came through the tower door. “I’m just here to check on Lee,” she said as she started up the stairs.

  “Good morning, doctor,” I called to her. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  The doctor froze in her tracks, slowly turning to face the table where I sat. “Lee? How can you possibly be up?”

  “You tell me. I feel like I just woke up from a nap. Word has it that I’ve slept for three weeks.”

  "Slept? You were as good as dead," the doctor responded as she rushed back down the stairs. Walking up to me, she leaned in and stared into my eyes. "Your reactions seem normal. This just isn't possible. After last night, I had some hope you may wake, but I feared you would not be the Lee we knew before.”

  I shrugged. “I guess you can thank the stone. I believe it is what saved me.”

  “So, it’s true? It was Alynon’s Tear keeping you alive?”

  "I think so. Something was calling to me. I think it was the Tear," I answered.

  “Well, you have turned my clinic upside down. Everything I thought to understand of healing has been thrown out the window.”

  “That’s just Lee,” Barad explained. “He doesn’t obey the laws of nature. Once we are gone, things will return to normal.”

  “Are you leaving?” The doctor asked.

  I nodded. "I feel fine, and we have to get to the dwarves. Is the Southern Pass useable yet?"

  “Oh yes, the scouts have announced that it’s clear,” The doctor agreed.

  “Well then, we’ll just need to grab our horses at Faluth’s estate and then through Alsselya.”

  “Alsselya?” Father Yagen asked. “We’re going through Alsselya?”

  “I know it’s dangerous, but it can carve a lot of time off of our trip. We have to reach the Dearthmoon Mountains.”

  Orlik nodded. “Aye, you’d have ta go all the way ‘round Spellion to avoid Alsselya.”

  “Which is time we can’t waste,” I added.

  “Remind me to sharpen my axes before we go,” Barad said, shaking his head.

  "Then sharpen them now. The pass is open, and we have the stone," I said, pulling Alynon's Tear from my pocket.

  Bri leaned forward, “Is that it? It’s beautiful.”

  Barad whistled. “That would buy a few drinks.”

  The stone gave a quick flash of red. It could almost seem a refraction of light, if you weren’t looking for it.

  “Was that because of me?” Barad asked in shock.

  “Barad, please don’t antagonize the stone, we may need it,” I scolded.

  “So, it really talks?” Ryan asked.

  “If you consider that talking. I’m not sure about anything on the stone. We have a lot to learn about each other,” I answered. The stone seemed to flash a glint of blue.

  “I’m still not sure what I’m seeing,” the doctor said as she stood. “Well, Councilor Nenelin has a standing order to notify him of any change in your condition. I believe this definitely qualifies as change. If you will excuse me, I’ll do that now.”

  We all said goodbye as the doctor left. Orlik looked to me as we settled back in. “If ya thought these elves were a challenge, ya haven’t faced the dwarves yet.”

  “Don’t tell me it’ll be worse,” I said.

  “He died here! What worse can happen?” Barad complained.

  “Well, maybe not all the dying part,” Orlik admitted. “But here, the majority did be on his side. I’m not so sure about the dwarves. When I left, they were visiting with a Dommerian Ambassador.”

  “A Dommerian Ambassador?” Abigail asked. “Lee, that doesn’t sound good. If they’ve been dealing with Dommeran, we could be walking into a trap.”

  “We have to go, there is no other choice. We’ll just have to take our chances,” I answered as I grabbed some bacon.

  “So, when do we go?” Brianna asked.

  I thought for a moment. “Tomorrow. I don’t see any reason to delay.”

  Chapter 3

  (Lord Hannen)

  “For three days we’ve been kept in here!” I complained. Once more I paced the tiny chamber my son and I have been assigned. “This is hardly more than a prison!”

  After a quick retreat from our failed attack on the King, Marcus and I were forced to use our smuggling system to smuggle ourselves out of Vaelin and to the safety of Dommeran. It had been months of travel on foot as we slogged our way to the Capital. We had been promised wealth and riches for our treason, and I expected Dommeran to pay. Since our arrival, however, we were unceremoniously delivered to this room and told to wait.

  “We should have never had left Vaelin,” Marcus moaned.

  “You tried to stab the King of Alsselya in the back, you idiot,” I yelled as I turned to my son.

/>   “He wasn’t a king then, no one would have convicted me.”

  “You are one of the most unpopular people in the kingdom. They were salivating at the chance to get rid of you. I should have left you there.”

  Suddenly, the door was opened, and one of Gorath’s priests entered the room. “Ahh, a family spat. How nice. You know, Marcus,” the priest said as he turned to my son, “I killed my father. It was a requirement for joining Gorath’s priesthood. Still, it worked out very well for me.”

  I looked at Marcus, who seemed to be giving me a considering look. Feeling uncomfortable with the flow of this conversation, I cleared my throat. “How dare you just barge into our room?”

  “There are no doors closed to the Priests of Gorath, Lord Hannen. It would be wise for you to learn that. After all, there is no going back home now, is there?” he asked with a wicked smile.

  “Well, what do you want?” I asked. This conversation was not going well at all. Still, I’ve always been a winner, and I will come out on top of this, somehow.

  “The High Priest Grenlow wishes to speak with you and your son. Some explanation is required for what happened in Vennean.”

  “It was your priests that failed! I did as I promised and got them into the ball.”

  The priest shrugged and continued in his all too calm voice. “But they aren’t here, and you are. Follow me.”

  With that, he turned and started walking down the hall. My son and I were forced to chase after him to keep up. I recognized it as a dominance tactic. One I had used myself.

  I took this opportunity to get a look at the temple as we walked. It was nothing like those in Vaelin. Ayisha was a weak goddess. It showed in her bright and shiny temples. Gorath’s walls were painted in blood. Dominance and fear, that is the way to rule, I thought as I followed the gray-robed priest. He led us through a long series of hallways, never turning back to check on us. I suspected there was a much shorter route, again a tactic to overwhelm us. Well, I was no weak-minded fool.

  Finally, we stopped before two large metal doors. The priest stood back and pointed to the door, forcing me to open it. Impressive, I thought. These priests are very well trained in passive dominance.